Desert Storm Rally 2011
Blythe, CA March 3-7, 2011
The Old Dirty Racing team of Chuck Wilson (driver) and Brent Ellzey (codriver) competed at Desert Storm Rally 2011 in the Ford Escort GT with mixed results. Fun stages, with a great field of competitors, the Desert Storm Rally challenged competitors. Originally set to run on roads in CA & AZ, the organizers met adversity when permits for the CA stages were pulled at the last minute. Route books, course notes, schedules, and worker assignments were all adjusted to use only the AZ stages for the event. Well deserved thanks go out to Pat and Denise McMahon, the organizing group, and all the volunteers for pulling off a spotless event under duress!
Thursday night was a coefficient 1 route book only event without recce. The course was a ~2-mile section of the Ehrenberg stage, ran as a turnaround stage 3 times each direction. Started off in the “B-car” at a quick and safe pace. Improved our stage time each running resulting in 2nd in CRS-2 & Group 2. The cost to run this stage was $0 for the competitors! Yes, that’s right: a free coefficient 1 event!
Friday’s reconnaissance (“recce”) went quickly and was uneventful. Downgraded a few “jump”, “ruf”, and “!” (caution) in the course notes and added some “brake” and “keep Right over crest” calls on some of the trickier sections. Back at the HQ Hotel at Park Expose we had a great BBQ dinner put on as a fundraiser for the local animal shelter.
Saturday was a coefficient 3 event on course notes. Left MTC at the Palo Verde College service area around 7am in the “A-car”. Set good stage times, consistently pushing the pace as Chuck & I got back into the swing…no drama, no “moments”. By halfway through the day attrition had already removed several cars from the competition in our class. Our strategy remained to maintain the CRS-2 lead. Unfortunately, engine power started to go down severely a couple miles from the finish of stage 9. Eventually we lost all power and coasted across the flying finish of SS9. “Disappointed” doesn’t cover the emotions at the time, but I believe we proved that we have a credible chance of pulling off a class victory and podium finish. Tom Laeng and the crew from Laengworks trailered us back to the service area and immediately started prepping the “B-car” for the next day of racing. I hitched a ride over to the I-10 Speedway to watch the remaining 4 competitors have a go at the local oval track.
Sunday was a coefficient 2 event and we’re back in the “B-car”. The strategy remains the same: keep up the pace and bring home a CRS-2 class win. Kept pushing the speed and improved times from running the roads on Saturday. The only excitement was on stage 4 when my door refused to latch closed. A couple zip ties fixed that issue. Had fun trading times with truck #34, John Black, who finished 1st in the P-Stock class all days of the event. We completed the event with 1st in CRS-2, 1st in Group 2, and 2nd overall for the day.
Overall, it was a very productive event. The roads were fun and challenging. Event organization was exceptional. Can’t thank the awesome group of volunteers who allowed us go out and play in the rally car enough! Had a blast with some California Rally Series regulars, made many new friends, and looking forward to seeing all at future events. Next up is High Desert Trails Rally in Ridgecrest, CA on April 9th.
Brent.
